Fallen, Literally – Part 1

A mutual friend, C, got a group of us together to go wall-climbing. I hadn’t climbed in over two years since my climbing partners relocated to Taiwan. So understandably I was a bit rusty on techniques and whatnot.

Chris was my partner that night. Up I went with him belaying me. I came down and it was his turn to go up. He made it to the top, (about a couple of storeys high) and he signaled to me that he was ready to make his descent. I slowly eased back the Grigri to let him some rope so that he could begin swinging down. One hand was on the Grigri, while my other hand was holding on to the rope.

Like I mentioned, I was a bit rusty. I must have eased back the Grigri a bit too much, because the rope was letting too quickly and it was causing a burn on my other hand. About halfway down*, Chris started to free fall. In my panic, I’d pulled the lever all the way back instead of just simply letting it go so that the auto-lock would kick in.

Next thing I knew, Chris landed on the wooden floor with a loud thud. He was flat on his back, not moving.

Omigosh, I just killed someone! Even if he comes to, he might have broken bones or worse. How would I face his family and explain to them why somebody who their son/brother just met that night could kill him? What do I do? What do I do? I swear I will not go climbing again for as long as I live. Please let him be okay. Please let him be okay. Please...

(To be continued…)

*Chris claims that he was actually near the top when he started falling.